Banana Production Going Strong During Winter

Winter is a difficult time for banana crops. Banana plants are tropical and thrive in warm climates. When temperatures drop, growers from Mexico and South America experience slower production rates, which leads to banana shortages and higher prices for consumers.

Here at Organics Unlimited, we do not consider this a major threat. Despite cooler conditions, we continue to provide quality bananas from our well-prepared farms in Ecuador and Mexico.

We will be shipping out healthy bananas to our retailers in the U.S. The Ecuadorian farms are capable of delivering a steady supply, but shipments take longer to arrive due to the greater distance traveled. Through these cooler winter months, we will continue to provide consumers and retailers with quality bananas.

Don’t forget that we have started our weekly contest promoting ‘quality’ and encourage everyone to participate. Post your quality quotes on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. Remember, each week a quote will be chosen and mentioned on our blog, and the winner will receive a prize. Stay connected to Organics Unlimited by following us on Twitter and become a fan of us on Facebook!

Buying Organic + Contest!

There are a variety of reasons consumers choose organic over conventional produce. However, a number of consumers avoid organic bananas because of misconceptions about the organic industry and growing practices. Here at Organics Unlimited, we want to inform your consumers about the hard facts; you do not sacrifice quality when you buy organic over conventional bananas.
Here are just a few benefits of buying organic:
Environment:
An important reason to buy organic bananas is for the environmental benefits. According to USDA guidelines, organic farming practices reduce pollution, conserve water and preserve soil. Also, organic growing practices do not release synthetic pesticides into the soil. Pesticides and herbicides used in the growing of conventional bananas seep into the soil and groundwater, and can harm wildlife, affect biodiversity, and disrupt local ecosystems.

Health:
Many people choose organic foods to avoid risks associated with pesticides and other chemicals that are used in conventional farming. Research shows that organic diets lower exposure to pesticides.
Conventional bananas are grown with synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides to protect the crops from mold, insects and disease. Organic farmers use natural fertilizers and weed by hand or mulch in order to prevent weeds.
Many believe that because of its protective skin, all toxins and chemicals cannot penetrate the meat of the banana. However, there is strong evidence showing that chemicals and pesticides do leach into the soil, and into the actual fruit.
Aesthetics:
Many consumers are frightened by organic bananas because of the myth that they are less attractive. Shoppers expect organic bananas to be bruised, damaged, and not uniform in size, shape or color. The truth is, organic bananas can look as good, if not better than conventionally grown bananas. It all boils down to how the bananas are physically handled and transported.
Contest:
Starting this week, Organics Unlimited will host a weekly contest promoting ‘quality’ and will be encouraging everyone to participate. During February, Organics Unlimited will be asking for quotes through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn about ‘quality’ that inspires fans. Each week, a quote will be chosen and mentioned on our blog, and the winner will receive a prize the following week. Stay connected to Organics Unlimited by following us on Twitter, and become a fan of us on Facebook!

Increase Sales through Merchandising

Bananas are the most frequently purchased fruit in the U.S. however there is always room for retailers to increase sales through strategic planning. Organized displays and cross- merchandising can lay a solid foundation for a store’s produce reputation. Retailers are always looking for a way to boost sales, and in this economy, consumers are looking for exciting and affordable ways to satisfy their palate.

It’s been said that we eat with our eyes first. In the produce world, consumers shop with their eyes first. We’ve all seen displays where banana hands are contorted, bruised, and stacked on top of each other haphazardly. An ample, quality display is the first step in maximizing consistent sales and impulse buys. As with most food items, banana displays should be clean and aesthetically appealing. This not only ensures catching your shoppers’ attention, but also protects the overall quality of the bananas.

Another way to increase banana sales and sales of related products is incorporating a cross merchandising program. Bananas can aid in selling other items around the store. Cross merchandise bananas with:

• Muesli and Oatmeal
• Other Fruits for Smoothies
• Chocolate Dips
• Cake / Pie Mixes and Supplies
• Salads
• Ice Cream

Retailers with a well-planned banana merchandising program highlight the quality and versatility of this wonder fruit. Bananas are a great value in the produce department, and through cross merchandising and proper display techniques, consumers and retailers can both benefit.

What are your thoughts on bananas and cross merchandising? Leave your feedback and ideas below!

iTrade & Organics Unlimited

The iTradeNetwork is a global provider of on-demand supply chain management and intelligence solutions for the foodservice industry. ITN's collaborative solutions allow distributors, manufacturers, operators and retailers to easily and effectively conduct business.

ITN gives food service corporations clarity and control over supply chain processes. They follow a source, supply, and measure methodology which allows customers to achieve results that meet their objectives.

Starting with “Source,” ITN uses tools like e-tenders, auctions and contract management to ensure the right products from the best suppliers are selected. With “Supply,” ITN’s services enable the management of freight and logistics, place orders, and even pay invoices. Finally with “Measure,” ITN collects, normalizes and enriches information and applies analytic solutions so that customers can improve price and purchase compliance, identify new contract opportunities, monitor supplier performance, and identify new revenue generating opportunities.

Organics Unlimited is a member of iTrade, and for customers who are also ITN members, this is a convenient way to conduct business with us. ITN allows for the direct purchasing of produce which saves retailers time and money.

2012 Industry Forecast

The beginning of January always inspires many to resolve to be healthier and improve the quality of their lives. During the new year, keeping up with emerging trends becomes important for the produce industry. Here are some trends for the produce industry in 2012:

Transparency:

“Locally Grown” has become a household phrase, and has transitioned from a trend to a cultural norm. Due to the stigma surrounding non-local produce, consumers are becoming skeptics in the grocery store. There is need for a transparency for the industry and consumers about where produce is grown, the growing conditions, and how far it traveled to its final destination.

Diets and Nutrition:

It’s not uncommon for millions of people to ring in the new year with a new diet. Why not eat healthy all year long, and promote long term weight loss success through the consumption of fresh produce? The high cost of health care creates a desire for healthier diets and lifestyles. Retailers can increase sales and brand loyalty simply by implementing year-round diet and nutrition marketing plans.

Youth Education:

Educating students about the health benefits involved with produce consumption can change negative eating patterns of future generations. The USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides school curriculum to increase produce consumption by children. These children bring the message home to their families, which increases overall consumption.

Flavor and Variety:

Flavor and consumption go hand-in-hand. Many consumers (foodies) are looking for culinary edge which can be achieved with vibrant flavors and innovation in the kitchen. That’s why specialty products such as Red Bananas and Plantains can help retailers increase sales.

The main goal for Organics in 2012 will be to provide quality produce to consumers, and by following industry trends, retailers can stay ahead of the curve. Follow our blog every Tuesday for industry related news you can use, and updates involving Organics Unlimited and GROW.

OGC Employee Volunteers with Project Amigo!

Each year around Christmas, kindergarten and primary aged children in the Project Amigo Scholar program receive a complete outfit for school, funded mostly by GROW. This includes a new pair of shoes, a pair of pants, a shirt, three sets of underwear and socks. Generally, this is the only new clothing a child will get all year.

Twenty one volunteers joined Project Amigo this year for the outfit gifting. Project Amigo breaks the volunteers into teams to tackle each of the clothing groups. The shoe team fits each child with a pair of school shoes, taking the time to assure a good fit and to make friends. We were happy to have David Amorose and his daughter Rosie volunteer this year. David Amorose is from Organically Grown Company, a GROW customer, and is a huge supporter of the GROW program. Not only were David and Rosie key members of the Shoe Fitting Team, they also interviewed each child to find out their favorite foods, sports and school subjects. They were true ambassadors and peace-makers.

The GROW Fund contributed $5000 and two volunteers to this special work-week! Thanks to David and Rosie for all your hard work! If you’d like to volunteer in Mexico, visit www.projectamigo.org.

Question to Our Customers!

At Organics Unlimited, we're planning on giving our current website a makeover and creating a new, separate website for GROW. We're excited about creating a fresh new site with up-to-date news, relevant stories and user-friendly tools to make it easier for our customers to find what they're looking for.

We want to be able to give you the best tools and content for their needs, so we'd like to ask:

What would you like to see on our new website? 

Leave a comment below and let us know what would be helpful and important to you. We would love to hear your opinions!